Despite the demise of the TouchPad, it appears that Amazon is pushing ahead with plans for its own tablet. The company has reportedly applied to trademark the term "Lab126," an internal group that handles the Kindle and possibly an upcoming tablet, according to Geekwire.

Amazon also snapped up the domain for KindleScribe.com.

The Lab126 application was filed on August 16 and is categorized as "design and development of computer hardware and software." Geekwire acknowledges that the move could be a coincidence, but suggests that "getting more serious about protecting the Lab126 brand (after using it to do business since 2006) looks like further evidence that the company is getting set to launch that long-rumored tablet."

As Geekwire noted, analysts have said that Amazon might be one of the only companies that can compete against Apple's iPad. Its Kindle e-reader has done quite well; in July, Amazon said its newly released Kindle 3G with Special Offers had become its most popular e-reader, with e-reader sales accelerating. If the rush for $99 and $149 TouchPads are any indication, however, shoppers are eager for a low-cost tablet. Can Amazon deliver?

On the Kindle front, Amazon has reportedly registered a new domain name: KindleScribe.com (and KindleScribes.com). At this point, neither site produces any sort of landing page, but SlashGear suggested that the "scribe" part might suggest an upcoming stylus for the Kindle, which might be helpful for students. Earlier this month, Amazon launched an app for college students.

About the Author

Before joining PCMag.com, Chloe covered financial IT for Incisive Media in NYC and technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's deg... See Full Bio

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